SUVs emit more climate damaging gas than older cars do, study finds
(The Guardian, 16 Oct 2023) Exclusive: UK climate campaign group Possible calls for ‘polluter pays’ tax based on vehicle size.
The increasing popularity of ultra-heavy SUVs in England means a conventional-engined car bought in 2013 will, on average, have lower carbon emissions than one bought new today, new research has found.
The study by the climate campaign group Possible said there was a strong correlation between income and owning a large SUV, which meant there was a sound argument for “polluter pays” taxes for vehicle emissions based on size.
Data on vehicle ownership in England showed that households in the top 20% income bracket are 81% more likely to own a highly emitting car than vehicle owners in the other 80%.
The top 20% income group drive three times as many miles a year as those in the bottom income quintile.
The study found the carbon impact of the richest people’s driving habits to have damaged the climate more than “those of the poorest”
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The Guardian, 16 Oct 2023: SUVs emit more climate damaging gas than older cars do, study finds